DRESSING ROOM PROBLEMS BEHIND SUNDERLAND WOES, SAYS BORINI
LONDON: A lack of team unity and “problems within the dressing room” contributed to Sunderland’s woes this season, striker Fabio Borini said.
The striker made the observations after scoring a late equaliser in the 2-2 draw against West Ham United which saw Sunderland slip ever closer to relegation from the Premier League.
The Black Cats are no strangers to wriggling clear of the drop in recent years, but they now look doomed as they sit nine points adrift of 18th placed Hull City with six games left, having been rooted to the bottom of the table since mid-January.
“It’s harder than previous times I think,” said Borini, who scored a late equaliser against West Ham.
“We have not been at our level and we have not been a united group as in previous seasons.
“That’s what has been the problem.
“(Our struggles are) a little bit because of problems within the dressing room, but that’s for us to deal with it. Even the results, the injuries, that’s all part of being united and keeping believing.”
Last season, Sam Allardyce helped Sunderland finish two points and one place above the drop zone while only three points and two places saved them the previous year.
They survived in those campaigns thanks to a stunning late run of form but they have won just five times all season under David Moyes and, crucially, just once in their last 10 to stop them building the sort of momentum which saved them before.
“Positive results like today, and performances, can bring that strength to the group and get everyone together because in our situation we can only get out together, not individually,” the Italian added.
“We’ve been missing loads of players. The list is massive and that has been the problem.
“We all know we are Premier League players, we’ve been playing in the Premier League a long time and surely I don’t want to get relegated.”
Sunderland finish with games against Arsenal and Chelsea, but before then face the four teams immediately above them in the table – Middlesbrough, Bournemouth, Hull City and Swansea City.
“We’ll keep believing while we’re in with a chance, and somewhere along the line hope the football gods will shine on us,” Moyes said.
Meanwhile, Swansea City believe they can get positive results in their five remaining matches and avoid relegation from the Premier League, midfielder Ki Sung-yueng has said.
Swansea, who have conceded the most goals in the league this season, dropped into the relegation zone after a home loss to Tottenham Hotspur and are at 18th spot currently after suffering narrow losses at West Ham United and Watford.
“We still believe we can win games, especially when we are playing at home,” South Korean Ki told the club’s website (www.swanseacity.net).
“We have five games to go this season and we still believe in ourselves.
“The recent run has been disappointing, but now we have to try to find our confidence and try to get some good results again.”
Ki believes today’s game against Stoke City, who have just one win in their last five league games, provides a great opportunity to get a much-needed win.
“If we can get a win against Stoke next weekend, the confidence will be boosted and we will have a chance in the four games after that,” he said.
Swansea have a tough fixture list following the Stoke match as they face Manchester United and Everton before a crucial game against basement side Sunderland.